Drones flying into prisons to be examined by new police team - bbc.co.uk

17 April 2017

The Prison Service and police are to pool intelligence to stop drones flying drugs and mobile phones to prison inmates in England and Wales.
They will forensically examine captured drones to try to find out who was flying them.
The invention of easy-to-fly, remote-controlled aircraft has caused a huge security headache for prisons.
The national initiative will see police and prison officers share information about the quadcopters and methods used.

West Berkshire Council to introduce Council Tax drones. - villageeye.co.uk

1 April 2017

This Monday, 3rd April, our local council will begin trials of an innovative, cost saving solution for its Tax Banding Re-assessment Team.

Using the latest in flying drone technology, we understand that Council Tax Assessment Officers will be able to assess homes and businesses remotely by flying quiet and unobtrusive ‘pod’ drones to within three feet of properties.

Passenger jet approaching Heathrow in drone 'near-miss' - bbc.co.uk

31 March 2017

A passenger plane had a near-miss with a drone at 10,000ft as it approached Heathrow Airport.
Pilots spotted a gadget with multiple arms and up to eight rotors pass by the right hand side of the plane as it was preparing to land.
Both pilots exclaimed: "Was that a drone? At 10,000 feet!", air safety experts UK Airprox Board (UKAB) said.
The drone was estimated to be about 98ft (30m) away from the plane and "safety was not assured", UKAB added.

Prince William’s air ambulance came within seconds of catastrophic mid air-collision with a drone.
The helicopter, which the Prince flies regularly but was not on board at the time, came within half a second of hitting the remote controlled-device as it flew over a McDonald’s near Enfleld

New safety rules for recreational drone use take immediate effect - canada.ca

16 March 2017

Today at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, in the presence of airport, airline and pilot representatives, Minister Garneau announced an immediate measure which will affect the operations of model aircraft and recreational drones of more than 250 g and up to 35 kg. Minister Garneau was joined by representatives of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Toronto Police Force.

The key new rules are that recreational drone operators must mark their drone with their contact information, and may not fly:

- higher than 90 metres;
- at night;
- within 75 metres of buildings, vehicles or people; or
- within 9 kilometres of the centre of any airport, heliport, aerodrome or water aerodrome where aircraft take off and land.

Drone almost downs £60m Chinook at 2100 feet - dailymail.co.uk

6 March 2017

An RAF Chinook pilot has told how his helicopter was nearly downed after it came within 130ft of hitting a drone.
The pilot revealed his fears in an official investigation of the near miss which happened as he was coming in to land at RAF Odiham, Hampshire.
The twin-rotor helicopter was flying at 138mph at 2,100ft when the drone was noticed on radar by an air traffic controller at the base.
The controller alerted the crew to the 'faint' image on the direct flightpath of the helicopter.

Drone footage captures Manchester house blast aftermath - bbc.co.uk

16 January 2017

Drone footage has captured the aftermath of a suspected gas explosion at a house in Manchester that left five people injured.
The blast was in an end terrace house in Cecil Road, Blackley and reduced much of the property to rubble.
A man with "major trauma" injuries was taken to Salford Royal Hospital and another person was taken to Wythenshawe hospital.
Three people were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Drone captures surge aftermath - bbc.co.uk

Drone company Lily shuts down owing $34m - bbc.co.uk

12 January 2017

Lily, the company behind an autonomous camera drone that had amassed $34m (£27m) in pre-orders, has announced that it is shutting down.
In an email to customers the start-up said it had failed to raise additional funds to start production of the drone.
It promised to reimburse all pre-order customers within the next 60 days.
The waterproof drone was to be one of the first "throw-and-shoot" cameras that could track users and capture footage of them for up to 20 minutes.

Google confirms end of internet drone project - bbc.co.uk

12 January 2017

Google has confirmed it has closed its internet drone project Titan, three years after it bought the business.
The drones were designed to bring the internet to remote rural areas, complementing its Loon project - a similar initiative using hot air balloons.
However, the solar-powered vehicles have faced technical difficulties and funding challenges.

An incredible drone’s-eye video that shows an unfortunate flying robot crashing into Seattle’s famous Space Needle has just been released.

The bizarre crash, which occurred on New Year’s Eve, was captured by the drone’s on-board camera. After filming a stunning view of downtown Seattle, the drone, which is hovering near the Space Needle’s observation deck, suddenly accelerates and slams into the landmark’s roof.

Man held over HMP Liverpool drone drop-off - bbc.co.uk

10 January 2017

A man has been arrested after a drone was seen dropping off a banned item at a prison.
The drone was spotted with an object above HMP Liverpool in Walton by prison staff in the early hours of 6 January.

CES 2017: Roam-E drone takes flying selfies - bbc.co.uk

8 January 2017

A new type of fold-up drone that follows its owner about taking selfies is being previewed at the CES tech show in Las Vegas.
Roam-E uses facial recognition software to keep on course and stays airborne with just two rotors.
But could it pose a safety risk? Chris Foxx reports.